Consultant in Special Care Dentistry

NHS; Kendal; On-site; GBP 105,000 - 140,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider is seeking a part-time consultant in special care dentistry to enhance community dental services in South Cumbria. This role involves providing specialist dental care and advice for patients with complex needs, shaping the strategy for the service, and working collaboratively with other health professionals in a supportive environment.

Qualifications

• Registered with the GDC as a Specialist in Special Care Dentistry.
• Experience working at Specialist level in Special Care Dentistry.
• Ability to lead and work as part of a health care team.

Responsibilities

• Provide holistic dental care for patients with complex needs.
• Offer consultant advice to community and general dental practitioners.
• Collaborate with clinical teams in hospital and primary care settings.

Skills

Holistic consultant level dental care

Leadership and management

Effective communication

Empathy

Education

Full registration with the General Dental Council

SAC-approved training programme in Special Care Dentistry

Post-graduate qualification in Dental Sedation

Job description

Job summary

We are looking to appoint a part-time consultant in special care dentistry to support community dental services delivered in South Cumbria. This new post offers an exciting opportunity to shape the strategy for adult special care dental services across South Cumbria.

The Consultant in Special Care Dentistry would be expected to perform dental care for adults in clinics across South Cumbria, treatment under General Anaesthetic in theatres within University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay Trust and treatment, where necessary, within a domiciliary setting.

Clinical facilities include surgeries equipped with ceiling track hoists, a wheelchair recliner and bariatric bench. Surgeries are set up to provide inhalation and intravenous sedation and there is access to adult comprehensive care under GA.

Assessment and treatment of adults of Tier 3 complexity is expected, as is assisting other members of the dental team with clinical queries regarding management of patients.

We would ask that you are fully registered with the GDC and on the GDC Specialist Register in Special Care Dentistry or Paediatric Dentistry, be accredited or within six months of such accreditation at interview stage and have completed a SAC approved training programme or have demonstrated equivalent experience and training to allow entry to the specialist list by mediated entry. You must also be currently listed on the NHS Dental Performers List England.

Main duties of the job

The SPCDS is currently supported by a local Clinical Lead, five senior dental officers, one dental officer, two dental therapists and dental nurses who have additional qualifications in sedation, radiology and special care.

The consultant will work in partnership with the Clinical Director and Clinical Lead for the Community Dental Service in leading and developing the special care dental service in South Cumbria. The post-holder will have responsibility for providing specialist dental advice and treatment for people with a disability and/or complex medical conditions to Tier 3 level.

You will add a strong clinical voice to our leadership team and contribute to a building a service which values professional excellence alongside outstanding patient care.

About us

At NCIC, we have an ambition to deliver outstanding healthcare services to the population of North Cumbria. The Trust is committed to creating a centre of excellence in providing rural and remote healthcare and provides a wide range of community and acute services throughout our county.

Our 5 key principles demonstrate our belief in the delivery of 'safe, high quality care every time':

• Being a clinically led organisation
• Quality and safety at the heart of our Trust
• A positive patient experience every time
• A great place to work
• Managing our money well

As an organisation we are serious about supporting a diverse workforce that reflects our local community and are very much focused on being an inclusive and compassionate place to work.

Across the North East and North Cumbria we are working together to deliver our ambition to be the greenest region in England by 2030. All staff are expected to support sustainability.

Details Date posted

11 July 2025

Pay scheme

Hospital medical and dental staff

Grade

Consultant

Salary

£105,504 to £139,882 a year pa

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

262-A-25-7280174

Job locations

Kendal Dental Clinic

Westmorland General Hospital, Burton Rd

Kendal

LA9 7RG

Job description Job responsibilities

The postholder will provide holistic consultant level dental care to the full range of patients with complex needs and/or disabilities in both hospital and primary care settings including dental clinics, and domiciliary settings as required.

They will also provide consultant advice and back up service to community, and general dental practitioners to facilitate those practitioners caring for their own patients with complex medical problems and disabilities, including where appropriate, provision of care on a shared care basis.

The role will be based at Westmorland General Hospital Dental Outpatients.

Please Review the Job Description and Person Specification Attached for full Requirements of the Role.

Job description Job responsibilities

The postholder will provide holistic consultant level dental care to the full range of patients with complex needs and/or disabilities in both hospital and primary care settings including dental clinics, and domiciliary settings as required.

They will also provide consultant advice and back up service to community, and general dental practitioners to facilitate those practitioners caring for their own patients with complex medical problems and disabilities, including where appropriate, provision of care on a shared care basis.

The role will be based at Westmorland General Hospital Dental Outpatients.

Please Review the Job Description and Person Specification Attached for full Requirements of the Role.

Person Specification Qualifications Essential

• Full registration with the General Dental Council as a Specialist in Special Care Dentistry.
• Have a NHS primary dental care provider number or be eligible to obtain one.
• If an applicant is UK trained, successful completion of SAC- approved 3-year minimum training programme in Special Care Dentistry with CCT and 24 months of experience working at Specialist level in SCD

Desirable

• Post-graduate qualification in a field appropriate to the role (e.g. Masters, Diploma and/or Certificate in Special Care Dentistry or Dental Sedation)
• Fellowship in Dental Surgery or Membership of Faculty of Dental Surgery, or equivalent

Experience Essential

• Experience of providing dental care for patients with complex co-morbidities including those people with additional needs, a learning disability and/or mental health problems; and the frail elderly.
• Experience in provision of Special Care Dentistry in the NHS equivalent to that expected of a person who has two years' experience following completion of specialist training.
• Experience or knowledge of delivery of dental care using intravenous and inhalation sedation
• Experience of provision of dental care in a hospital setting, including the provision of care under general anaesthesia.
• Ability to lead and work as part of a health care team.
• Experience of delegating work to and supervising staff.
• Experience of communication with consultants and senior clinicians across a broad range of medical specialties concerning the care of patients with complex needs.
• Ability to interact and work constructively with consultant and specialist colleagues and dental team members in both primary and secondary care settings.
• Experience in leadership and management including governance of clinical care related to Special Care Dentistry
• Understands the functions of the Salaried Primary Dental Care Service.

Desirable

• Experience of working at a consultant level
• Experience in using alternative therapies e.g. hypnosis, acupuncture in dentistry

Teaching Essential

• Ability to critically appraise scientific literature
• Effective participation in audit
• To have the ability and willingness to teach at all levels and to all groups of staff

Desirable

• Experience of clinical teaching of undergraduate / postgraduates
• Experience of presenting at regional/national conferences
• Formal teaching qualification, eg Cert Ed
• Experience of development of education programmes in Special Care Dentistry.

Research Essential

• Ability to critically appraise scientific literature and incorporate into clinical practice where appropriate

Desirable

• Experience of research including publications in peer reviewed journals

Other Requirements Essential

• Empathy with patients requiring special care dentistry
• Ability to communicate with confidence with patients and their families, peers and members of the dental team; and other health and social care professionals including those acting in a caring capacity
• Ability to work on own initiative and manage themselves and others.
• Good presentation skills

Person Specification Qualifications Essential

• Full registration with the General Dental Council as a Specialist in Special Care Dentistry.
• Have a NHS primary dental care provider number or be eligible to obtain one.
• If an applicant is UK trained, successful completion of SAC- approved 3-year minimum training programme in Special Care Dentistry with CCT and 24 months of experience working at Specialist level in SCD

Desirable

• Post-graduate qualification in a field appropriate to the role (e.g. Masters, Diploma and/or Certificate in Special Care Dentistry or Dental Sedation)
• Fellowship in Dental Surgery or Membership of Faculty of Dental Surgery, or equivalent

Experience Essential

• Experience of providing dental care for patients with complex co-morbidities including those people with additional needs, a learning disability and/or mental health problems; and the frail elderly.
• Experience in provision of Special Care Dentistry in the NHS equivalent to that expected of a person who has two years' experience following completion of specialist training.
• Experience or knowledge of delivery of dental care using intravenous and inhalation sedation
• Experience of provision of dental care in a hospital setting, including the provision of care under general anaesthesia.
• Ability to lead and work as part of a health care team.
• Experience of delegating work to and supervising staff.
• Experience of communication with consultants and senior clinicians across a broad range of medical specialties concerning the care of patients with complex needs.
• Ability to interact and work constructively with consultant and specialist colleagues and dental team members in both primary and secondary care settings.
• Experience in leadership and management including governance of clinical care related to Special Care Dentistry
• Understands the functions of the Salaried Primary Dental Care Service.

Desirable

• Experience of working at a consultant level
• Experience in using alternative therapies e.g. hypnosis, acupuncture in dentistry

Teaching Essential

• Ability to critically appraise scientific literature
• Effective participation in audit
• To have the ability and willingness to teach at all levels and to all groups of staff

Desirable

• Experience of clinical teaching of undergraduate / postgraduates
• Experience of presenting at regional/national conferences
• Formal teaching qualification, eg Cert Ed
• Experience of development of education programmes in Special Care Dentistry.

Research Essential

• Ability to critically appraise scientific literature and incorporate into clinical practice where appropriate

Desirable

• Experience of research including publications in peer reviewed journals

Other Requirements Essential

• Empathy with patients requiring special care dentistry
• Ability to communicate with confidence with patients and their families, peers and members of the dental team; and other health and social care professionals including those acting in a caring capacity
• Ability to work on own initiative and manage themselves and others.
• Good presentation skills

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details Employer name

North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Kendal Dental Clinic

Westmorland General Hospital, Burton Rd

Kendal

LA9 7RG

Employer's website

https://www.ncic.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details Employer name

North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Kendal Dental Clinic

Westmorland General Hospital, Burton Rd

Kendal

LA9 7RG

Employer's website

https://www.ncic.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)